🧮 Google's quantum computer performs calculation in 5 minutes that would take longer than the universe's existence for a supercomputer

• Google's new quantum computer solved a calculation in five minutes that would take longer than the universe's existence to solve with a regular supercomputer.
• The time it would take the supercomputer to do the calculation is nearly a million billion times longer than the age of the universe.
• The quantum computer can handle its own errors and actually improves as more qubits are added.

Five minutes versus eternity

Google's new quantum computer Willow can perform a calculation in five minutes that would take 10 septillion years for today's fastest supercomputer to solve. That's 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 years. Our universe is about 13.8 billion years old. The time it would take the supercomputer to do the calculation is thus nearly a million billion times longer than the age of the universe.

This supports physicist David Deutsch's theory that quantum calculations occur in parallel universes, Google points out. (Read David Deutsch's article on Warp News: Optimism, pessimism and cynicism.)

Solves problems by adding more parts

Regular computers often become slower and make more errors when more parts are added. But Google's quantum computer Willow works in the opposite way - it improves and makes fewer errors when more qubits are added. In tests with different sizes of qubit systems, from 3x3 to 7x7, the number of errors halved each time the size increased. This solves a problem that researchers have tried to solve for 30 years.

The technology behind the success

Willow consists of 105 qubits and has improved several technical aspects compared to previous versions. An important measure is how long the qubits can retain their information - this has now increased to almost 100 microseconds, which is five times longer than previous versions. The quantum computer was built in a specially designed facility in Santa Barbara, which is one of few places in the world with the ability to manufacture this type of advanced technology.

From theory to practical application

Willow represents a clear step forward, but the technology is still in an early stage. The calculation that was performed is a test that demonstrates the quantum computer's capability, but has no direct practical application yet. Google is now working to develop calculations that are both faster than classical computers and useful in real applications.

When the technology matures, quantum computers can transform several areas in society. In drug development, they can simulate molecules and proteins much faster than today's computers, enabling faster development of new medicines. For climate transition, quantum computers can contribute to the development of more efficient batteries for electric cars and new materials for solar cells. In the energy sector, they can help solve complex calculations for fusion energy.

Significance for artificial intelligence

Google also sees great opportunities to combine quantum computers with AI. Quantum computers can give AI systems access to training data that regular computers cannot calculate, and optimize learning processes in new ways. This can lead to more advanced AI systems in the future.

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